Penn State Altoona vs. Liberty University

Comparable Facts

Compare Penn State Altoona in Altoona, PA with Liberty University in Lynchburg, VA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Liberty University is larger than Penn State Altoona based on total student enrollment (104,327 students vs. 2,371 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Penn State Altoona is located in Altoona, PA (Small City setting); Liberty University is in Lynchburg, VA (Small City setting).
• Penn State Altoona is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Liberty University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Penn State Altoona 13:1; Liberty University 18:1.

Penn State Altoona vs. Liberty University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Penn State Altoona or Liberty University? Published tuition is the sticker price; many students pay less after aid (see average net price below).

• The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Penn State Altoona than Liberty University ($21,618 vs. $29,532).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Liberty University are 4.4% lower than at Penn State Altoona ($13,835 vs. $14,474).
• Liberty University is 40.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than Penn State Altoona (about $6,493 more per year; $22,465.00 vs. $15,972.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 20% higher at Penn State Altoona than at Liberty University (about $4,493 more per year; $26,958.00 vs. $22,465.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Liberty University than at Penn State Altoona (97% vs. 78%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Liberty University students is 12.6% larger than aid received by Penn State Altoona students ($12,489 vs. $11,088).

Penn State Altoona vs. Liberty University Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Penn State Altoona or Liberty University? Typical SAT and ACT scores (same estimates as in the table above), middle 50% test ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between Liberty University and Penn State Altoona.

• Liberty University reports an open admissions policy.
• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Penn State Altoona (1180) is 30 points higher than at Liberty University (1150).
• Incoming Penn State Altoona students have the same typical ACT composite (median estimate; 25) as students at Liberty University (25).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Penn State Altoona 1070/1290; Liberty University 1040/1250.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Penn State Altoona 22/28; Liberty University 21/29.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Penn State Altoona - Test optional; Liberty University - Open admission.
• Accepted freshman Liberty University students have a 0.16 point higher average high school GPA (3.56) than students at Penn State Altoona (3.4).
• Liberty University has a higher acceptance rate (99%) than Penn State Altoona (98.1%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 10.3% at Penn State Altoona vs. 24.4% at Liberty University.

Penn State Altoona vs. Liberty University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Penn State Altoona and Liberty University? Graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt are common indicators. The bullets below summarize the same federal outcomes fields as the comparison table (College Scorecard / IPEDS where applicable).

• Penn State Altoona's six-year graduation rate (65%) is higher than Liberty University's (47%).
• Graduates from Penn State Altoona earn a median of about $16,200 more per year than Liberty University graduates about ten years after starting college ($55,300 vs. $39,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Liberty University graduates have a $2,652 lower median loan debt than Penn State Altoona graduates ($24,166 vs. $26,818).
• Among borrowers, Liberty University graduates have an estimated $28 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Penn State Altoona graduates ($249 vs. $277).
• More Penn State Altoona graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Liberty University students, three years after graduation. (69% vs. 36%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.